~ July 2024 ~

Hello CVOA,

Greetings CVOA members,

Some folks may think that CVOA becomes dormant after ski season and isn’t active until the snow flies in November…not so. There were two trips in June, a cruise to Alaska and a bike trip in the environs of Quebec City. The golf outing to Diadema was cancelled due to extremely hot weather. CVOA will work on rescheduling a golf outing in the fall. The Range is in operation with a full schedule of events. For those interested in 2025 ski trips, the process began in June to sign up for Banff, Jackson Hole and Mont Tremblant.

To continue with my introduction and recognition of CVOA Officers, I’d like to tell you about Steve and Elaine Smith. Steve served as Vice President and President of CVOA from 2020 to 2022. When I was elected as president in 2022, Steve stepped in as vice president. He has always offered calm, solid advice to the Board and to me and has a good memory about the history of CVOA. Wherever Elaine and he may be which includes Morocco, the Azores, and Europe, he is always willing to answer the phone or an email. 

Steve and Elaine serve another important role in CVOA as editors and publishers of the Newsletter you’re reading. This involves several different functions. The first is the solicitation of articles for the Newsletter and keeping the writers on task to deliver their reports in a timely manner to meet the deadlines. Then they edit, format, select photos, graphics and finally enter the information into the software that distributes the Newsletter so it arrives precisely on the first of the month. We know their work is appreciated because the Newsletter “open rate” runs about 80%, and members often mention they look forward to receiving it.

Thank you Steve and Elaine Smith for all that you do for CVOA.

Thom Johnston

July 2024

July 6 - 5 Stand Shoot 9am-noon

July 7 - Trap Shoot 9am-noon

July 13 - 5-Stand Shoot 9am-noon

July 14 - Trap Shoot 9am-noon

July 20- 5 Stand Shoot 9am-noon

July 21 - Trap Shoot 9am-noon

July 27 - 5 Stand Shoot 9am-noon

July 28 - Trap Shoot 9am-noon

Check out the CVOA 2024 EVENTS CALENDAR

Click here: CVOA Calendar

Summer Greetings from your membership secretary. As of the end of June CVOA has 523 memberships. That represents 976 members of which 494 are Range members. Welcome to the new members! We look forward to meeting you at future events and at the Range. Remember, if you are receiving the Monthly CVOA Newsletter, your membership is up to date.

If your mailing or email address changes, please let me know via email: johnston.patti63@gmail.com

Patti Johnston, Membership Secretary

The CVOA activities committee is actively seeking ideas. The committee’s goals are as follows:

• Be a place for members to vet activities they would like to lead
• Provide coaching to members who have ideas and would like guidance on running an activity
• Come up with ideas for future activities
• Be a clearing house for ideas and conduit to help find leaders
• Maintain and manage an activities calendar to be incorporated into the overall CVOA calendar.

If you have ideas or are interested in being a trip or activity leader, please email CVOA.Secretary@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you and helping members run some great activities and trips.

 🛶 Canoe/Kayak Trip 🛶

Kennebec River

Solon to the Weston Homestead

AUGUST 10, 2024

Trip Coordinators: Muffy Witham George Diplock

CVOA is sponsoring a canoe/kayak trip August 10, 2024 on the Kennebec River from the Evergreen Campground in Solon to the Weston Homestead in Madison. The trip begins at the Evergreen Campground located on the east side of the river by the bridge (the only bridge in Solon). For those who wish, we can meet at 7:30 am for a buffet breakfast ($$TBD) at the campground. Vehicles will be shuttled to Madison and the trip will head downriver at 9:00am.

Former trip leader, Pete Weston, has shared this description of the river as “absolutely beautiful with lots of wildlife, fishing, amazing scenery and historical landmarks”. The 9 mile trip has a good current requiring little paddling. Take out will be at the Weston Homestead. Those who don’t want to paddle can meet the group at the Homestead for lunch. This property was settled by Pete’s great-great-great grandfather, Deacon Ben Weston, in 1786.

Rumor has it that fishing is excellent in this section of the Kennebec River. The first portion of the river has numerous islands, is mostly shallow with a good current but not whitewater. Depending on water levels, canoes may need to be dragged a short distance. The upper portion of our trip is artificial lures only, and the lower part of the trip general fishing regulations. There are some length and bag limits so please check Maine Inland Fishing Laws to confirm and don’t forget your fishing licenses. The first stop be will across from the campground at a ledge with Indian petroglyphs. A stretch break will be included. Continuing down the river, time permitting, we hope to stop and explore Weston Island, ending at the Homestead between 1:00 and 1:30. Here we will have lunch, joining those who chose not to paddle. We will be on the east side of the river where vehicles were left from the morning. Lunch will be provided by CVOA.

Directions to the Homestead

In Madison, turn north on Weston Ave at the traffic light. Go to the end of the road (approx. 1 mile). The large white house is the Homestead.

Cost for the trip is $15.00 per person to cover parking and lunch, to be collected on the morning of the trip. Trip will be held rain or shine.

This trip is canoes and kayaks only. No motors please. As a large turnout is expected, please leave pets at home.

What to Bring:

• Bug Spray
• Sunscreen
• Appropriate water footwear
• Life vest
• Sun Glasses
• Rain Gear
• Swimwear and towel
• Water and other liquid refreshments

Please RSVP by July 31 to

Muffy Witham 207-751-9242

muffyw52@gmail.com

View the VBT itinerary here: https://www.vbt.com/tours/germany-france-alsace-black-forest-guided-bike-tour/ This is an all inclusive package of air fare, ground transportation, hotels, most meals, bikes, helmets, two guides, sag wagon, and side trips. Ray and I have taken other VBT trips and they have all be excellent. After July 8th, this trip will be opened to non-CVOA guests which will not count toward a group discount. So if you are thinking about joining us, put your deposit in now!

If we fill this trip, our group earns the cash equivalent of two free trips! That savings, divided equally, is expected to be around $600 per person. If more than 22 people are interested, other trips or dates can be set up. Contact Leslie to reserve a spot! ~ Diane Stone dpstone32@gmail.com

Hello Range and CVOA Members, 

Weekly Five Stand every Saturday from 9am to noon and weekly Trap Shoots every Sunday, 9am-noon. These shoots are non-competitive and designed for all shooting levels. Also, open to the public. $6/round for the clays. Come meet your fellow range members and have some fun! Range Safety Officers are present and can help you navigate the games if it is your first time.

Introduction to Basic Handgun and Stop the Bleed cancelled, but we hope to offer the classes again in the Fall.

Range Safety Officer Training to be announced. This is an all day course that will be held at our range. Range Safety Officers (RSOs) are an important part of any range insuring the safe use of facility. This certified course will make you a valuable member of any range to which you belong! The date is not yet set, but expect late summer or early fall.

A Reminder: Please respect all posted rules and regulations. If you have questions regarding range use, please refer to our Stand Operating Procedures or contact me via email or phone.

We have had some users shoot up range distance markers, trash cans, and other non-targets. This increases costs at the range and is very disrespectful of our members and those of us working hard to keep the range in good working order. If you see anything and feel uncomfortable talking to the folks misusing the range, please contact me.

Enjoy your Summer and our beautiful Range and be safe!

Diane Stone

Range Secretary

CVOA.range@gmail.com

207-240-4752

Alaskan Cruise

At the end of May thirty CVOA members headed to Alaska. After a day of sightseeing in Juneau we boarded the Chichagof Dream for a seven-day tour around southeast Alaska. Highlights of the day in the capital city included a steep tram ride/hike up Mt. Roberts and a visit to the beautiful state museum.

Due to unplanned fire-alarm system repairs to our ship we spent two extra nights at the dock. In true CVOA fashion, we made the best of the situation, enjoying a day trip to spot humpback whales, other Alaskan wildlife and another day to experience the steep cliffs, waterfalls, blue glaciers and icebergs and the overall beauty of Tracy Arm Fjord.

Once at sea, our journey took us into Glacier Bay to see Marjorie Glacier, puffins and eagles. Several of us brave souls took a Polar Plunge into the frigid 40-degree ocean! We hiked in Glacier Bay National Park, on Kupreanof Island near Petersburg, along lush trails into Lake Eva and kayaked along the shores of Baranof Island.

The remaining time was spent eating, drinking, meeting the other 30 travelers, playing games of cribbage, trivia and enjoying presentations on the history, natural resources and rich culture of Alaska. Our week ended on a beautiful sunny day exploring the town of Sitka before catching our flights back to the East coast with a new appreciation for the vastness and beauty of Alaska.

Bonnie Farrar

🚴‍♀️ Bike Trip to Quebec 🚴‍♂️

Bonjour a' Quebec City, which never disappoints, with hospitality, miles of paved mostly level bike trails, perfect weather, awesome restaurants and super CVOAers, provided us all with an awesome adventure. 

Thanks to CVOA for providing charcuterie boards at a local restaurant.

Biking along the Saint Lawrence River, no flat tires, no one got lost (mostly), ferry trips across the St Lawrence, biking to Mountmorency Falls provided for two great days of touring adventure .

Thanks CVOA.

Your hosts, 

Glenn & Peggy Bickford

Members since about 2005

June Directors Meeting

The CVOA Officers and Directors gathered at Sam and Val Hudspath’s home on June 23 to review the past year and to plan for the next 12 months. Ten members at large were also in attendance. Although the weather did not cooperate for outdoor activities, the group enjoyed a delicious meal made by those who attended. This group of enthusiastic Directors reviewed our activities and operations for the upcoming year. We welcome any member who is interested to attend our meetings and join our discussions. Our next Board meeting will be during Sugarloaf Homecoming, October 11-14. The date, time and location will be in a future Newsletter.

Thom Johnston

🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️Diadema Golf 🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️

Cancelled

Unfortunately, due to a major heat advisory resulting in 18 cancelliations, we did not have the golf outing planned for June. We might try to reschedule in the fall. Who knew Maine in June would have a 100˚+ day? LOL



🏌️‍♀️Valerie Hudspath 🏌️‍♀️

CVOA Board Member and Fellow Golfer

To foster and promote the conservation of our natural resources

and the creation of recreational opportunities in our region.